VSP News Release-Incident
STATE OF VERMONT
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
VERMONT STATE POLICE
NEWS RELEASE
CASE#: 26A4010549
RANK/TROOPER FULL NAME: Detective LT Lyle Decker
STATION: BCI-A Troop East
CONTACT#: (802) 748-3111
DATE/TIME: 10/8/26 approximately 1745 hours
INCIDENT LOCATION: Northeast Regional Correctional Facility, St Johnsbury, VT
VIOLATION: 2 Counts of Assault on a Correctional Officer
ACCUSED: Rian Donahue
AGE: 18
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Berlin, VT
VICTIM: Andrew Thresher / Kyle Riff
AGE: 29 / 37
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: St Johnsbury, VT
SUMMARY OF INCIDENT:
On 10/8/26 at approximately 1745 hours, while incarcerated at the Northeast Regional Correctional Facility, Rian Donahue became violent and assaultive toward staff members. As a result, two correctional officers, Andrew Thresher and Kyle Riff were injured. Thresher and Riff sustained minor injuries during the incident and while getting Donahue under control. Donahue was cited into court on 11/16/26.
COURT ACTION: Y
COURT DATE/TIME: 11/16/26 at 0830 hours
COURT: Caledonia County
*Please note: court date and time are subject to change at the discretion of
the court. Please call the criminal court clerk to confirm arraignment time.
Detective Lieutenant Lyle Decker
Vermont State Police
Troop A-East
